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Not to be confused with 2013 coming-of-age comedy starring Zoe Kravitz and Douglas Smith, Treading Water (2024) shown in Official Selection at this year’s BFI London Film Festival is a gritty but compassionate debut drama from writer-director Gino Evans set in Manchester about an ex-con with addiction and mental health issues struggling to adjust to life on the outside.

It sounds vaguely familiar because it does follow the narrative and tropes of many urban British films in its attempts at feeling authentic. However, Evans is onto something intriguing and altogether significant in portraying mental health issues facing ex-prisoners, by visually showing the inner workings of main character Danny’s mind (brilliantly played by Mancunian newcomer Joe Gill) as a series of graphic intrusive thoughts that deliver gut punches to the senses.

Small-time criminal Danny is newly released from prison and takes up residence in a halfway house with anti-drugs policy, as...

The British Independent Film Awards (Bifa) longlist for the Raindance Maverick award includes documentaries Witches by Elizabeth Sankey and Strike: An Uncivil War by Daniel Gordon.

The 13-strong longlist also includes Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane’s non-fiction title Grand Theft Hamlet, about a staging of Shakespeare’s Hamlet inside the Grand Theft Auto videogame.

Scroll down for the full longlist

Witches examines the relationship between cinematic portrayals of witches and postpartum depression, utilising archival film footage alongside personal testimony. Having been the sole non-fiction title in the UK’s Great 8 showcase at Cannes this year, the film premiered at Tribeca in June,...

Ron Howard’s ‘Eden’ Makes Int’l Premiere As Opening Film Of Torino Film Fest

Rob Howard’s thriller Eden will make its international premiere as the opening film of Italy’s Torino Film Festival next month in the presence of the Oscar-winning director. The picture stars Jude Law, Ana De Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl and Sydney Sweeney as a group of people who flee 1920s Europe to start over and build paradise on the Galapagos Islands, with disastrous consequences. Italian rights for the film – which world premiered in Toronto – have been acquired by Italian International Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, and 01 Distribution will handle the local theatrical release. The film was sold to Amazon Prime Video during Cannes in a multi-territory deal including the UK & Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Scandinavia, Spain, Latin America, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, India, Turkey, West Indies, and Asia pay-tv.

‘Masked’ Mania

Bandicoot Scotland, an Argonon joint venture, has secured a two-series recommission from U.K. broadcaster ITV for “The Masked Singer U.K.” The renewal includes a sixth season currently in production and a seventh 8 x 90′ series. In addition, Bandicoot is set to produce “The After Mask,” a new 8 x 30′ digital companion series for 2025. Hosted by Harriet Rose, the show will be available across on-demand, social, and digital channels including Itvx and YouTube.

“The After Mask” will feature interactions with the celebrity panel, host Joel Dommett, and unmasking interviews with contestants. Rose will also provide behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s production.

“The Masked Singer U.K.” is produced by Bandicoot Scotland, with Derek McLean, Daniel Nettleton, and Claire Horton serving as executive producers. “The After Mask” is executive produced by Nick Johns, Derek McLean, and Daniel Nettleton, in conjunction with Strong Watch Studios.

Fresh Faces

The British Independent Film Awards...

The British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) has unveiled its longlist of nominees for the prestigious Breakthrough Performance Award. Leading the nominations are the three stars of “Kneecap”, an Irish film that tells the true story of a rap group. JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, and Naoise Ó Cairealláin, who portrayed themselves in the movie, received recognition for their performances.

The Netflix-sponsored BIFA Breakthrough Performance Award seeks to spotlight up-and-coming acting talent in independent British cinema. This year’s longlist includes 12 actors for standout roles in notable films. Other top nominees were Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda for the film “Bird”. Reviews praised Adams’ “entrancing” performance in particular. Additionally, Susan Chardy earned a nod for “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl”, while Joe Gill and Bilal Hasna were recognized.

Critics have applauded “Kneecap” for its unconventional telling of the band’s real origin story. The actors naturally portrayed themselves and their friendship seemed authentic.

Kneecap stars JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin lead the longlist for the British Independent Film Awards’ (BIFA) breakthrough performance prize.

Sponsored by Netflix, 12 actors have been spotlighted on the list this year after “remarkable” performances in stand-out British features. Past winners include Ben Whishaw, Jamie Bell, Dev Patel and Jessie Buckley.

Among the long list are Bird actors Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda, as well as Susan Chardy from On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.

Treading Water‘s Joe Gill, Layla‘s Bilal Hasna and Last Swim‘s Deba Hekmat have also been recognized. After the Kneecap actors, Saura Lightfoot Leon for Hoard, Ruairdh Mollica for Sebastian and Jason Patel for Unicorns rounds out the list.

The critically-acclaimed film on Irish rap trio Kneecap was described by The Hollywood Reporter as a “gleefully irreverent feature [which] offers an origin story for the real-life band of the title,...

Actors from Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap and Andrea Arnold’s Bird are among the 12 names on the longlist for the breakthrough performance award at the British Independent Film Awards (Bifas).

JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin – members of Irish rap group Kneecap, who play fictionalised versions of themselves in the film of the same name – are all on the list, as are Bird actors Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda.

Scroll down for the full list

Screen 2024 Stars of Tomorrow Saura Lightfoot Leon and Jason Patel are selected for their performances in Luna Carmoon’s Venice...

British filmmaker Gino Evans’ directorial debut is a bleak look at life after prison. Here’s our Treading Water review.

Director Gino Evans’ debut feature, is a bit of a rarity. In an industry seemingly obsessed with London, Treading Water is set in Manchester and made by northerners. The film aims to offer audiences a peek at what life’s really like outside the glamorous locations of London, too often romanticised on film.

The story follows Danny (Joe Gill) who’s just been released from prison. He’s sorted himself a room in a shared, assisted house where his fellow occupants are crude and uninviting. He’s still trying to beat a heroin habit, too, and suffers with severe Ocd, constantly convincing himself that if he doesn’t perform certain tasks, he’ll die.

When Danny encounters an old flame, there’s suddenly light at the end of the tunnel.

Shortly before the end of the DC Extended Universe franchise, it spawned its first and only TV series. Peacemaker was led by John Cena, who reprised his role from The Suicide Squad movie, which was directed by James Gunn. Gunn produced the series, which streamed on the Max platform (formerly HBO Max) in early 2022. It was quickly renewed for a second season prior to Warner Bros. / Discovery merger.

When DC Studios came into effect, it was announced that the Dceu would end, making way for a new DC Universe instead. But Peacemaker would carry on in the new continuity, helped by the fact that Gunn was one of the new studio's co-chairmen and CEOs (along with Peter Safran). It's a bit confusing, because some events from season 1 will remain canon while others won't, but the good news is that the show will return for another outing and it will be canon to the new Dcu.

Bulldog Film Distribution has acquired UK-Ireland distribution rights to writer-director Gino Evans feature debut Treading Water.

Treading Water will have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. Bulldog is scheduling a theatrical release for 2025.

Set in Manchester, the film follows a man released from prison into the tough reality of supported housing, where he tries to take control of his life while dealing with mental health issues.

It is produced by Ben Toye for the UK’s Big North Films. Bulldog acquired rights directly from the filmmakers.

The film stars Joe Gill, Becky Bowe, Darryl Clark and Darren Connolly.

James Gunn has taken to Instagram to reveal a first official look at the new helmet John Cena's Christopher Smith will don in the second season of Peacemaker.

The photo only shows the helmet from the back, but it's clearly a new design. It'll be interesting to see if the entire helmet more is inspired by the character's earliest appearances, or possibly the banner image above.

"On this day, #Peacemaker aka Christopher Smith made his first comic appearance in Fightin’ 5 #40, in 1966, created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette," Gunn captioned his post. "It’s the role @JohnCena was born to play, and I can’t wait to show you all what we’re cooking up now for @Peacemaker Season 2!"

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Though the photo has since been removed, a mural was recently spotted on set featuring John Cena's Peacemaker...

Jonathan Majors' time as the McU's Kang the Conqueror reached an abrupt end when he was found guilty of two misdemeanour counts of assault and harassment following an altercation with his ex-girlfriend.

The actor was sentenced to a 52-week in-person domestic violence intervention program, but won't see any jail time. Despite that, the incident has essentially ended his Hollywood career and it's unclear whether there's a way back for Majors.

What we do know is he'd done as Kang, leaving fans to speculate about who will replace him in Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars.

One popular suggestion is Them: The Scare star Luke James; however, he's not interested in playing the Conqueror.

"Marvel as a whole? Yes. Kang the Conqueror? No," the actor tells The Direct. "But I wouldn't not not take the meeting. There are so many brilliant characters, because I mean, it's so many characters. There are...

When director James Gunn took on a soft reboot of The Suicide Squad, he brought in some familiar members, some less familiar characters, and one who was, at best, tangential to the team in the comics. Yet, with a keen eye for casting, the director knew exactly who would make Peacemaker work despite his odd Pat Boyette-designed costume and weird rationale provided by co-creator Joe Gill. Christopher Smith loved peace so much he would violently assure it.

In the form of former pro wrestler turned actor John Cena, the character played it so straight that he was hysterical in an already gonzo film. Apparently, Gunn was so enchanted with the performance that he idly began writing a backstory miniseries and when he mentioned it to producing partner Peter Safran, he was encouraged to sell it. HBO Max snapped it up and it is now available on Blu-ray from Hob Home Entertainment.

Take a look at actor Nhut Le as the vigilante 'Judomaster', based on the Charlton Comics/DC Comics superhero character, co-starring in the upcoming action TV series "Peacemaker", streaming January 13, 2022 on HBO Max: 

The first 'Judomaster' debuted in the comic book title "Special War Series" #4 (November 1965) published by Charlton Comics, created by Joe Gill and Frank McLaughlin.

His 'secret identity' was 'Rip Jagger', a sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. Jagger rescued the daughter of a Pacific island chief and in return was taught the martial art of 'judo'.

For DC Comics, a different 'Judomaster' was created by Paul Kupperberg and illustrator Michael Collins. 

In "Justice League Quarterly" #14 (1994), 'Andreas Havoc', an enemy of 'Peter Cannon' aka 'Thunderbolt', challenged Cannon to battle. The 'Blue Beetle' aka 'Ted Kord', 'Captain Atom' and 'Nightshade' assisted Peter Cannon in battling 'Havoc' in a psychic battle while the new 'Judomaster'...

Take a look at actor Nhut Le as the vigilante 'Judomaster', based on the Charlton Comics/DC Comics superhero character, co-starring in the upcoming action TV series "Peacemaker", streaming January 13, 2022 on HBO Max: 

The first 'Judomaster' debuted in the comic book title "Special War Series" #4 (November 1965) published by Charlton Comics, created by Joe Gill and Frank McLaughlin.

His 'secret identity' was 'Rip Jagger', a sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. Jagger rescued the daughter of a Pacific island chief and in return was taught the martial art of 'judo'.

For DC Comics, a different 'Judomaster' was created by Paul Kupperberg and illustrator Michael Collins. 

In "Justice League Quarterly" #14 (1994), 'Andreas Havoc', an enemy of 'Peter Cannon' aka 'Thunderbolt', challenged Cannon to battle. The 'Blue Beetle' aka 'Ted Kord', 'Captain Atom' and 'Nightshade' assisted Peter Cannon in battling 'Havoc' in a psychic battle while the new 'Judomaster'...

"Peacemaker" is the new 8-episode, live-action 'comedic' superhero TV series, based on the Charlton Comics character, previously appearing in the feature "The Suicide Squad" (2021), starring John Cena, as an 'unhinged' crime-fighting vigilante, with Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Jennifer Holland, Chris Conrad and Chukwudi Iwuji, who are recruited by 'A.R.G.U.S.' to save the world from a mysterious group known as 'The Butterflies', streaming January 13, 2022 on HBO Max: 

"...'The Peacemaker' debuted in Charlton Comics' 'Fightin' 5" #40 (1966), created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette...

"...following 'Christopher Smith', a man who loves peace so much he is willing to fight for it.

"He used an array of special non-lethal weapons, and also founded the 'Pax Institute' to go up against dictators and warlords. 

"Smith later learns his peace-through-violence efforts were the result of a serious mental illness brought on by the shame of having a killer father,...

"Peacemaker" is the new 8-episode, live-action 'comedic' superhero TV series, based on the Charlton Comics character, previously appearing in the feature "The Suicide Squad" (2021), starring John Cena, Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Jennifer Holland, Chris Conrad and Chukwudi Iwuji, streaming January 13, 2022 on HBO Max: 

"...'The Peacemaker' debuted in Charlton Comics' 'Fightin' 5" #40 (1966), created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette, following 'Christopher Smith', a man who loves peace so much he is willing to fight for it.

"He used an array of special non-lethal weapons, and also founded the 'Pax Institute' to go up against dictators and warlords. 

"Smith later learns his peace-through-violence efforts were the result of a serious mental illness brought on by the shame of having a killer father, who was a vicious officer in The Third Reich during the war.

"He believes his father's spirit haunts him continually, criticizing his every move, even as...

HBO Max teased footage of the upcoming series “Peacemaker” as part of an image spot that aired during the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday.

The series, set to premiere in January 2022, is based on the DC Comics character created by writer Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette in 1966. “Peacemaker” stars John Cena in the titular role, reprising his character from “The Suicide Squad.” The series takes place after the events of the film and looks at the origin story of Peacemaker, a complicated hero who strives to achieve peace no matter what — even if it means killing people. Created by James Gunn, who also directed “The Suicide Squad,” “Peacemaker” is the first television series to come out of the DC Extended Universe.

In the new footage, Peacemaker shows up to a dinner in a public restaurant with friends in full superhero regalia. “Why are you in your costume?” one asks.

"Peacemaker" is the new 8-episode, live-action superhero TV series, based on the Charlton Comics character and the upcoming feature "The Suicide Squad" (2021), starring John Cena, Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Jennifer Holland, Chris Conrad and Chukwudi Iwuji, streaming January 2022 on HBO Max: 

"...'The Peacemaker' debuted in Charlton Comics' 'Fightin' 5" #40 (1966), created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette, following 'Christopher Smith', a man who loves peace so much he is willing to fight for it.

"He used an array of special non-lethal weapons, and also founded the 'Pax Institute' to go up against dictators and warlords. 

"Smith later learns his peace-through-violence efforts were the result of a serious mental illness brought on by the shame of having a killer father, who was a vicious officer in The Third Reich during the war.

"He believes his father's spirit haunts him continually, criticizing his every move, even as he tries to live down his past.

"Peacemaker" is the new 8-episode, live-action superhero TV series, based on the Charlton Comics character and spinning-off from the upcoming feature "The Suicide Squad" (2021), starring John Cena, Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Jennifer Holland, Chris Conrad and Chukwudi Iwuji, streaming January 2022 on HBO Max: 

"...'The Peacemaker' debuted in Charlton Comics' 'Fightin' 5" #40 (1966), created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette, following 'Christopher Smith', a man who loves peace so much he is willing to fight for it.

"He used an array of special non-lethal weapons, and also founded the 'Pax Institute' to go up against dictators and warlords. 

"Smith later learns his peace-through-violence efforts were the result of a serious mental illness brought on by the shame of having a killer father, who was a vicious officer in The Third Reich during the war.

"He believes his father's spirit haunts him continually, criticizing his every move, even as he...

Exclusive: Nhut Le has been cast to recur on HBO Max’s Peacemaker as Judomaster.

In DC lore, the character has been seen in three different previous iterations. The first Judomaster premiered in Special War Series #4 back in November 1965, created by Joe Gill and Frank McLaughlin. Originally known as Hadley “Rip” Jagger, he was a sergeant in the World War II U.S. Army. The Charlton Comics character was ultimately sold to DC. A different Judomaster was created by Paul Kupperberg and artist Michael Collins for Justice League Quarterly #14 (1994), in which the new Judomaster assists Blue Bettle, Captain Atom and Nightshade in joining Peter Cannon’s battle against Andreas Havoc. There was also a female Judomaster, Sonia Sato, who was part of the Birds of Prey (#100 in 2007).

2020-21 HBO Max Pilots & Series Orders

Le is a Groundlings and Ucb alum. He’s repped by Ross Grossman at Affinity Artists Agency and Bohemia Group.

Exclusive: Prolific TV creator Matt Miller is extending his long relationship with Warner Bros. TV by renewing his exclusive overall deal with the studio. As part of the new pact, Miller will executive produce Peacemaker, HBO Max’s TV spin-off of James Gunn’s upcoming The Suicide Squad movie, starring John Cena. The eight-episode series hails from Gunn, producer Peter Safran and Warner Bros. TV.

Written by Gunn, who also will direct, Peacemaker will explore the origins of the character that Cena plays in the 2021 movie.

Gunn executive produces with Safran and Miller. Cena, who also is an executive producer, stars along with Danielle Brooks, Chris Conrad, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick.

Peacemaker is produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment and The Safran Company in association with Wbtv. It is scheduled to begin production in early 2021, prior to Gunn’s return to the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.

Exclusive: We can tell you first that Steve Agee, who stars in James Gunn’s upcoming The Suicide Squad movie, is making the jump to the pic’s HBO Max spinoff series Peacemaker starring John Cena.

I hear that Agee will reprise one of two of his Suicide Squad roles, that of John Economos. The character is a warden of Belle Reve Federal Penitentiary and an aide to Viola Davis’ government character Amanda Waller. Agee is a longtime thespian in Gunn’s canon, having starred in the filmmaker’s Super, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and his horror feature production Brightburn directed by David Yarovesky. Agee also is playing King Shark in Suicide Squad.

Gunn is writing the eight-episode Peacemaker series and directing a number of the episodes. More characters from Gunn’s Suicide Squad could make the jump to the series, which explores the origins of Cena’s Peacemaker character,...

Streaming service HBO Max has ordered an eight-episode live-action TV series starring John Cena as the "Peacemaker", a vigilante character that debuted in Charlton Comics "Fightin' 5" #40 (November 1966), created by writer Joe Gill and illustrator Pat Boyette:

"...the original 'Peacemaker' was 'Christopher Smith', a pacifist diplomat so committed to peace that he was willing to use force as a superhero to advance the cause.

"Using an array of non-lethal weapons, Smith also founds the 'Pax Institute', confronting both dictators and warlords.

"Smith later learns that his warped 'peace-through-violence' efforts were the result of a serious mental illness brought on by the shame of having a 'Third Reich' commandant for a father. He believes his dead father's spirit haunts him, criticizing his every move, even as he tries to live down his past.

"Becoming a degenerate vigilante, Smith believes that ghosts collect inside his helmet, watching his every move..."

Click the images to enlarge.

HBO Max has called in the Peacemaker – ordering a TV spin-off of James Gunn’s upcoming Suicide Squad movie starring John Cena.

The streamer has handed Peacemaker an eight-episode straight-to-series order for its first season with The Suicide Squad director writing all episodes and directing a number of them.

The show will explore the origins of the character that Cena plays in the 2021 movie.

It marks the latest major DC Comics original on HBO Max and comes after the service revealed it was making a spin-off of Matt Reeves’ upcoming Batman film. DC Universe originals such as Doom Patrol, Harley Quinn, Titans, Swamp Thing, Stargirl, and Young Justice also recently moved to the nascent digital service.

2020 HBO Max Pilots & Series Orders

Gunn and The Suicide Squad producer Peter Safran will serve as executive producers of the series, with Cena as co-executive producer.

Peacemaker will be produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment...

Yesterday, we found out actor and WWE superstar John Cena is in talks to join James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, and now we know which character he’ll likely play.

Variety’s Justin Kroll initially broke the casting report but has since fleshed out a few more details on Twitter. The biggest reveal: Cena is expected to take on the role of Christopher Smith, Aka the Peacemaker.

Created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette in 1966 for Charlton Comics, the Peacemaker was acquired by DC Comics in the mid-80s and used sparingly over the last 30+ years. Originally “a pacifist diplomat so committed to peace that he was willing to use force to advance the cause,” Alan Moore used aspects of the character for the basis of The Comedian in Watchmen.

Warner Bros. hasn’t officially confirmed the news, but in the comics, Smith is a jacked marksman who specializes in advanced military weapon systems,...